Herb of the Month

Ajwain

(Botanical Name -
Carum copticum)

Introduction:

A valuable Ayurvedic ingredient Ajwain or bishop's weed is
cultivated in black soil particularly along the riverbank
throughout India and also Iran, Egypt and Afghanistan. It is a
small, erect, annual shrub with soft fine hairs. It has many
branches of leafy stems, small feather like leaves, 4 to 12 rays
of flower heads, each bearing 6 to 16 flowers. The fruits are
minute, egg shaped and grayish. Ajwain is pungent and bitter,
spasmodic, germicidal, antiseptic, digestive, antipyretic,
expectorant and an extra ordinary tonic. Ajwain seeds consist of
moisture, protein, fat, minerals, fiber, carbohydrates, calcium,
phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin. An
essential oil is eracted by steam distillation of the crushed
seeds of ajwain. This valued considerably in medicine on account
of the presence of thymol. For a long time this oil was the main
source of thymol. Some very valuable Ayurvedic medicines are
prepared from Ajwain seeds.

Healing power &
curative properties :

the oil of Ajwain is an almost colourless to
brownish liquid with characteristic odour and a sharp hot taste.
Ajwain is called omam in the southern part of India. Omam (Ajwain)
water that is the water distilled from the seeds in an excellent
carminative that cures flatulence, indigestion & low appetite.
This water is a household medicine not only in south India but
also in Sri lanka, Malaysia and even in some Arabian countries.
Ajwain water is call "Ajwain Ark" in Ayurveda.

Gastro-intestinal
disorders :

for relieving flatulence, dyspepsia and
spasmodic disorders, the seeds may be eaten with betel leaves. A
teaspoon of ajwain with a little rock salt is a household remedy
for indigestion. Ajwain oil given in doses of 1 to 3 drops is
useful in cholera, flatulent, colic, diarrhoea, a tonic dyspepsia
and indigestion. Ajwain water is given in doses of 30 to 60 grams
to check vomiting in early stages of cholera.

Drinking boiled water with 3 GMS ajwain seeds
and 3 GMS cinnamon bark for 3 days-thrice a day cures influenza.

Toothache :

Give smoke to the aching tooth by burning
ajwain seeds after two hour do gargle with lukewarm water
(prepared by boiling 1 tsp. ground ajwain with (little salt) two
to three times a day, it cures tooth pain.

Earache :

Putting one two drops of ajwain oil relieves
earache.

Heartache :

Taking one-tsp. ajwain with hot water
stimulates the heart and relieves heartache.

Rheumatism :

The oil extracted from seeds is beneficial in
the treatment of rheumatic and neuralgic pains. It should be
applied on the affected parts.

Mouth disorders :

An infusion of seeds mixed with common salt is
an effective gargle in a cut pharyngitis, sore and congested
throat and hoarse ness of the voice due to colds or shouting.

Ajwain seeds or bishop's weed is an effective ingredient in
preparing unani medicines. It helps in curing the disorders such
as ulcers, ringworm, itching, stomach worm, bile, menstrual and
post-natal disorders, leucorrhoea, female infertility, pimples,
kidney stones and many more, and also useful as an aphrodisiac